Ohio auditor: State needs access to student IDs

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Auditor Dave Yost says an Ohio law that prevents the state Education Department from accessing students' personal information is hampering district tracking efforts and wasting money.

Yost recommended Monday that the Ohio Board of Education support lifting restrictions on student IDs and moving the Statewide Student Identifier, or SSID, system in-house. The Republican says the shift could save taxpayers an estimated $430,000 a year.

Ohio currently pays IBM to house and manage off-site student identifying data. Only Ohio and New Hampshire separate student data -- including names, addresses and Social Security numbers -- in this way.

Yost urged the move during a briefing on his statewide investigation into irregular attendance and enrollment procedures at Ohio school districts.

Acting Superintendent Michael Sawyers supported the suggestion. A board vote could come Tuesday.